WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2991/98 by Angela SIERRA GONZÁLEZ to the Commission. Future of the specific supply regime for the Canary Islands
Date: 1998-10-08
Institutions: European Parliament, SIERRA GONZALEZ
Subjects: Canary Islands, EU programme, agricultural product, originating product, production cost, report, restriction on competition, supply

21.7.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 207/21

Pluimveeslachterijen Midden-Nederland and Van Miert [1984] ECR 1721, paragraph 22). It follows that, in a
situation characterised by the absence of implementing measures provided in Article 8(3) of Council Directive
71/118/EEC, this provision does not preclude a Member State from adopting national rules or from taking pre-
existing national rules into account. Nevertheless, the Court laid down the general rule that, although they are
empowered to apply their national law in a case like that, Member States are not exempt from observing the
principles and general rules governing the Community action in the sector.

(1) OJ L 62, 15.3.1993.
(2) OJ L 55, 8.3.1971.

(1999/C 207/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2991/98

by Angela Sierra González (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Future of the specific supply regime for the Canary Islands

(8 October 1998)

As the Commission will be aware, the existing specific supply regime for the Canary Islands, applying pursuant
to Regulation 191/91 (1) and to Poseican (the programme of options specific to the remote and insular nature
of the Canary Islands), has undergone a degree of evolution since its introduction, in line with its function of
compensating for the higher prices arising from geographical remoteness from the supplier markets.

However, numerous shortcomings have been detected in the administration of this crucial mechanism, which
will have to be corrected in the future.

These include:

= unfair competition existing in the case of certain products subsidised for import purposes, as opposed to
their local equivalents, which suffer because, despite their higher production costs, they do not receive
price compensation, although this would put them on an equal footing with the competing products (this
applies to dairy products, livestock products, wine, etc);

= the reduction in aid levels for certain products, resulting in additional costs to the consumer and the

processing industry;

= the lack of controls over the compensation mechanism for operators, which has led to numerous cases of

fraud.

What initiatives does the Commission intend to take to deal with these problems in the coming years, and to
reform the regulatory arrangements?

Does the Commission not agree that it is essential, as a matter of urgency, to reform those aspects of the
specific supply regime which penalise local production by obstructing its development?

(1) OJ L 20, 26.1.1991, p. 32.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 1998)

The Commission recently commissioned an independent consultant to write an evaluation report on the
agricultural component of the Poseican programme. It will be finalised in the next few months. In addition, the
Commission, in partnership with the Spanish authorities, is currently drawing up an analysis of the measures
carried out under that agricultural component. In the light of its conclusions, the Commission will present to
the Council and Parliament a report accompanied, if necessary, by any adjustment measures needed better to
achieve the objectives of Poseican. I would draw the Honourable Member¢s attention to the answer given by
the Commission to Written Question P-327/98 from Mr Souchet (1).

(1) OJ C 304, 20.10.1998.